Package feeder apparatus

ABSTRACT

Package feeder apparatus including a carrier for a stack of package blanks, and a rotary device for engaging and removing blanks singly from the carrier during rotation of that device. The blanks are stacked in a flattened condition and are adapted to form open ended tubular packages when expanded. Control means is provided to move the carrier with the rotary device after that device arrives at a package blank-engaging position relative to the carrier, and to stop such movement of the carrier when the device is firmly attached to a package blank and commences, or is about to commence final withdrawal of that blank from the carrier. Mechanism for actuating the rotary device is such that brief collision occurs between an engaged package blank and the carrier, when stationary, so as to effect a desired degree of expansion of the package blank during the withdrawal operation.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Laurence W. Bingham Brighton,Victoria, Australia [21] Appl. No. 6,344 [22] Filed Jan. 28, 1970 [45]Patented Jan. 11, 1972 [73] Assignee Pitters Proprietary LimitedVictoria, Australia [32] Priority Feb. 12, 1969 [3 3] Australia [3 l50354/69 [54] PACKAGE FEEDER APPARATUS 22 Claims, 14 Drawing Figs.

[5 2] US. Cl

[5 i Int. Cl [50] Field of Search [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,864,288 12/1958 Engleson et a] 93/53 R, 53/186 B31b 1/7693/53; 53/186 3,300,946 H1967 Martin ABSTRACT: Package feeder apparatusincluding a carrier for a stack of package blanks, and a rotary devicefor engaging and removing blanks singly from the carrier during rotationof that device. The blanks are stacked in a flattened condition and areadapted to form open ended tubular packages when expanded. Control meansis provided to move the carrier with the rotary device after that devicearrives at a package blankengaging position relative to the carrier, andto stop such movement of the carrier when the device is firmly attachedto a package blank and commences, or is about to commence finalwithdrawal of that blank from the carrier. Mechanism for actuating therotary device is such that brief collision occurs between an engagedpackage blank and the carrier, when stationary, so as to effect adesired degree of expansion of the package blank during the withdrawaloperation.

PATENIEnJm 1 1272 3533470 sum 1 0F 5 PATENTEU JAN? 1 IQYZ SHEET 3 [IF 5PATENTEI] JAN: 1 m

SHEET 5 OF 5 PACKAGE FEEDER APPARATUS This invention relates to packagefeeder apparatus of the kind adapted to feed package blanks from asupply source preparatory to the location of an article or articles insuch package blanks. The invention is particularly although notexclusively, concerned with the feeding of open ended tubular packages,and consequently it will be convenient to hereinafter describe theinvention in relation to that particular application.

Package feeding apparatus of the kind referred to, is generally requiredto deposit the packages in turn upon a conveyor which passes through anarticle receiving station. The apparatus must perform two basicmovements:

1. It must withdraw a package blank from the supply source,

and

2. move the removed blank toward a deposition zone (usually formed bypart of the conveyor).

The problem confronting manufacturers of such apparatus is to provide arelatively simple construction which can perform the above steps rapidlyand effectively. Apparatus is commonly available in forms in whichpackage blank pickup means is capable of removing a blank from thesupply source during or before deposition of a previously removed blankon the conveyor, but it is nevertheless usually necessary for movementof the pickup means towards the deposition zone to be halted during eachsuch removal operation. In short, both of the above basic movements arenot performed simultaneously and the time between removal and depositionis thereby extended.

It is generally convenient to arrange a reservoir of package blanks in astack extending transverse to the direction of movement of the pickupmeans towards the deposition zone, so that blanks are removed singlyfrom one end of that stack and transported to the aforementioned zone bythe pickup means. If the pickup means engages a blank during its traveltowards the deposition zone, it has been found that misalignment of theblank on the pickup means often results thereby preventing, or at leastupsetting, subsequent deposition of that blank on the conveyor. Thus, inthe absence of relatively simple and inexpensive pickup means that caninstantaneously and firmly grip a package blank during movement past thecarrier, manufacturers have generally adopted the aforementionedprocedure of halting movement of the pickup means towards the depositionzone during the package blank withdrawal operation.

In view of the foregoing, prior apparatus of the kind indicated isgenerally slower in operation than might be otherwise possible with bothmovements performed simultaneously. Furthermore, such prior apparatus isgenerally of relatively complex construction.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide apparatusof the kind indicated which is of relatively simple and effectiveconstruction and which does not include the aforementioned disadvantagesof prior apparatus.

According to the present invention, there is provided package feederapparatus including; a carrier for releasably retaining a plurality ofpackage blanks in stacked relationship and being movable between apickup position and a discharge position; pickup means operable toengage a blank held by the carrier when the carrier is in said pickupposition and to withdraw said engaged blank from the carrier; drivemeans operable to move the pickup means towards a blank receivingstation during said withdrawal, in a direction transverse to thedirection of said withdrawal; and control means operable to move thecarrier toward its discharge position when said pickup means iscorrectly positioned relative to the carrier for engagement with saidblank, in the same general direction as said pickup means is moved bythe drive means.

The following description refers in more detail to these essentialfeatures and further optional features of the invention. To facilitatean understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings where these features are illustrated in preferred form. It isto be understood however,

that the essential and optional features of the invention are notlimited to the specific forms of these features as shown in thedrawings.

In the drawings FIG. I is a plan view of a typical package blank inflattened form for use in apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the package blank shown in FIG. 1 whenexpanded;

FIG. 3 is a semidiagrammatic side elevational view of example apparatusaccording to the invention, parts being omitted for convenience ofillustration;

FIG. 4 is a part-sectional view taken along line lV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows the relative positions of the pickup means and carrier atthe moment of initial engagement between the pickup means and a blankheld by the carrier;

FIG. 6 shows the pickup means firmly attached to a blank and the carrierand pickup means moving together in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 shows the pickup means effecting initial withdrawal of a packageblank from the carrier;

FIG. 8 shows the package blank being removed from the carrier;

FIG. 9 shows the package blank completely withdrawn from the carrier;

FIG. 10 shows the blank broken down to a desired partially expandedcondition after complete removal and transported away from the carrier;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but on a reduced scale, showing apackage blank about to be positioned on a receiving conveyor; and

FIG. 12 shows final location of a package blank within a receptacle ofthe conveyor.

Apparatus according to the invention and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,includes a carrier 2 for supporting a stack 3 of package blanks, andpickup means 4 for removing blanks singly from the carrier. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the blanks are initially in the form of flattened tubes 5(see FIG. I), which are shaped and folded so that when opened out orexpanded each defines an open ended'tubular package of substantiallyrectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 2. Each package 5preferably includes upper and lower panels 6 and 7 respectively,relatively narrow side panels or walls 8, and suitable end flaps 9 and1] provided at each end of the package.

The carrier 2 may include a frame 12 having a base member 13, the framecomprising a plurality of rods upstandingfrom the base member 13 anddefining therebetween an elongated passage having a transversecross-sectional shape substantially complementary to the peripheralshape of a flattened package blank as shown in FIG. I. An aperture 14(see FIG. 4) is formed through the base member 13 and is preferably ofpredetermined size so that a blank supporting ledge is defined on eachof two opposite sides thereof. In one form, the ledge at the leadingside of the carrier base 13 relative to the direction of movementthereof, is formed by a plate element 15 adjustably secured to the base13 by screws 16 so as to allow variation of the effective width of thatledge. The other ledge may be defined by a front sloping face 17 of oneor more blocks 18, which are also adjustably mounted on the base 13 byrespective screws 19. A stack 3 of blanks 5 may be located in the framepassage so that the lowermost blank is located within the aperture 14and rests on the supporting ledges l5 and I7. The aperture size however,as modified by the ledges 15 and I7, is such that a blank 5 can be drawntherethrough when partially expanded so that the upper and lower panels6 and 7 are spaced apart as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the lateralwidth of the blank 5 is consequently reduced from that existing when theblank is completely flattened as shown in FIG. 1. Also as shown in FIGS.7 and 8, the blanks 5 are located in the frame 12 so that a sidewall 8is lowermost at the leading side of the blank relative to the directionof travel of the carrier 2 with the pickup means 4. Such locationfacilitates expansion of each blank during the withdrawal operation.

The blanks comprising stack 3 may be normally urged towards the base 13by means of a bar 21 slidably mounted on at least two of the rodsforming frame 12 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Preferably, the bar 21 extendsbeyond one end of the frame 12 as at 22 so as to be positioned toactuate a microswitch 23 (FIG. 4) when the stack 3 is reduced to apredetermined level. Actuation of the microswitch 23 may operate avisual and/or audible signal to warn the operator that further packageblanks are required, or it may completely stop operation of theapparatus to allow the stack 3 to be replenished.

Preferably, the carrier 2 is mounted on a drive shaft 24 for oscillatorymovement about the axis of that shaft. The shaft axis may extendsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carrier framepassage. The carrier mounting may include a sleeve 25 rotatably mountedon the shaft 24 as shown in FIG. 4, and a supporting post 26 havingopposite end portions respectively secured to the base member 13 and thesleeve 25. It is preferred that the supporting post 26 is secured to thebase member 13 to one side of the aperture 14 for a reason hereinaftermade clear.

. Means for controlling movement of the carrier 2 is shown in FIG. 3,and preferably includes an arm 27 extending laterally from the mountingsleeve 25 and having a cam follower such as a roller 28 attached to theend portion remote from that sleeve. The cam follower 28 may engage thecam surface 29 of a rotatable cam 31 which is operatively connected tosuitable drive means (not shown). A spring 32 or other means mayinfluence the lateral arm 27 to maintain the cam follower 28 inengagement with the cam surface 29.

Alternative to a cam and cam follower, the control means may include arotatable crank or eccentric operatively connected to the end portion ofthe lateral arm remote from the sleeve. Any other means appropriate forachieving the desired oscillatory movement may be used.

The pickup means preferably includes a wheel member 33 (FIGS. 3 and 4)which is secured to the drive shaft 24 for rotation therewith, andcarries a plurality of sucker assemblies 34 in substantially equallyspaced relationship about the periphery thereof. Each sucker assembly 34is mounted on the wheel 33 for radial movement relative thereto, and maytake any suitable form. In one form however, as shown in the drawings,each assembly 34 includes a head piece 35 having a mounting stem 36extending from one side, and at least one flexible sucker element or pad37 secured to its opposite side. Preferably, there are two disclikesucker elements or suction cups or pads 37 of known constructionattached to the head piece 35 and spaced apart in the axial direction ofthe drive shaft 24. It is further preferred that the axis of each pad 37is substantially parallel to the axis of the mounting stem 36.

A vacuum pump or other pressure reducing means (not shown) may beoperatively connected to the concave or upper article engaging face ofeach pad 37. Preferably, a respective suction line 38 connects with apassage 39 formed in each head piece 35 and communicating with theassociated pads 37 through bores 41 (see FIG. 4), and extends from therespective head piece 35 to a suitable valve assembly 42 which controlsthe application of suction to the sucker assemblies 34. In

one form, the valve assembly 42 includes ports 43 formed through a valveplate or body 44 located over section of the drive shaft 24 and eachbeing communicatable with a respective axial passage 45 formed in thatshaft, according to the rotational position of the shaft 24. Each line38 connects with a respective one of the passages 45 as shown in FIG. 3.The lateral openings 46 of passages 45 (see FIG. 4) are so positioned,and the ports 43 are of such a size, that a definite relationship isestablished between rotation of the shaft 24 and respective activationof the various sucker assemblies 34.

Each sucker assembly 34 is preferably mounted on the wheel 33 by havingits mounting seam 36 slid-ably located within a respective radial bore47 of the wheel 33 as shown in FIG. 4. Actuating mechanism for thesucker assemblies 34 may include a stationary cam plate 48, preferablymounted on the drive shaft 24 but secured against. rotation therewith,and a roller 49 or other cam follower attached to each sucker assembly34 and being engageable with a cam surface 51 of the cam plate 48.Biasing means such as a spring 52 may urge each roller 49 intoengagement with the cam surface 51.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cam surface 51 preferably includes three lobes53, 54 and 55. The lobes 53 and 54 control engagement of each suckerassembly 34 with a blank 5 held by the carrier 2, and subsequentwithdrawal of that blank from the carrier. The lobe 55 controlsdeposition of an expanded blank or package 5 within a tray 56 of aconveyor 57 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) as hereinafter described.

Having now briefly described the principal component parts of apreferred practical embodiment of the invention, the operation thereofis as follows.

Preferably, the apparatus is used with a packaging machine of the kindhaving a continuously movable conveyor 57 arranged to transport packagesas described through various stations at which loading and otheroperations are performed ac cording to requirements. One such machine isdescribed in Australian patent application Ser. No. 37104/68. Theapparatus may be mounted adjacent the feed end of the carton conveyor 57so that the drive shaft 24 extends transverse to and above that conveyoras shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Package retainers forming part of themachine conveyor 57 are preferably in the form of open top channelmembers or trays 56 extending transverse to the direction of movement ofthe conveyor 57.

The conveyor 57 and the feeding apparatus may be coupled in a knownmanner (not shown) so as to be operated simultaneously, and thedirection of rotation of the wheel 33 is such that each sucker assembly34 moves in the same general direction as the conveyor 57 as it islocated adjacent that conveyor. Also, the speed of wheel 33 ispreferably regulated according to the speed of the conveyor 57 such thatone of the sucker assemblies 34 arrives at a deposition zone or packagereceiving station as each tray 56 arrives at that zone or station. It isnonnal for the speed of the wheel 33 to be greater than that of theconveyor 57 for a reason hereinafter made clear.

As the drive shaft 24 is rotated continuously, so does the wheel 33rotate continuously. The carrier 2 however, simply oscillates through apredetermined arc of movement as a result of its particular mounting anddrive connection as previously described, and that are of movement maybe adjustable in any suitable manner. Preferably, both the drive shaft24 and the cam 31 are driven by the same drive means.

The cam plate 48 is arranged so that a sucker assembly 34 approachingthe carrier 2 strikes the principal lobe S3 of the cam surface 51 and isthereby moved radially outwards. As a result, the pads 37 of thatassembly 34 are moved into the aperture 14 so as to engage the panel 7of the lowermost package blank 5 as shown in FIG. 5. At this moment, thevalve assembly 42 is operative to apply suction to the raised pads 37thereby drawing the lowermost blank 5 towards the drive shaft 24. It isgenerally preferred that the lobe 53 lifts the cooperating suckerassembly 34 through a small distance after initial engagement betweenthe pads 37 and blank 5, so as to ensure firm attachment of the pads 37to the blank 5 (see FIG. 6).

When the pads 37 first engage the blank 5 as shown in FIG. 5, thecarrier 2 is preferably substantially stationary, having just previouslyreached the extent of its movement in the direction of movement of theconveyor 57, hereinafter called the rearward direction of the carrier.After the carrier 2 reaches the extent of its rearward movement, theroller 28 tracks on section 58 of the cam surface 29, which section iscoaxial with the axis of rotation of cam 31 and consequently does notcause movement of the arm 27. At the moment of engagement between thepads 37 and a blank 5 however, the roller 28 engages and moves up risersection 59 of the surface 29 thereby causing the carrier 2 to commenceits forward movement with the wheel 33. As a result, the wheel 33 andcarrier 2 are retained in the relative position required to causeattachment of the pads 37 at the correct position on the blank 5.

As the wheel 33 and carrier 2 move together, the roller 49 moves downface 61 of the lobe 53 (see FIG. 7) thereby influencing the pads 37 todraw the engaged blank 5 out of the carrier 2. Because of the plate andfaces 17 however, the top wall 6 of the blank 5 is retained within theaperture 14 whilst the lower wall 7 engaged by the pads 37 is drawndownwards, thereby expanding the carton blank 5. When the roller 49reaches the extent of its movement down face 61, the top wall 6 is stillwithin the aperture 14 and the plate 15 engages the adjacent sidewall 8slightly below the top wall 6. Also, in this position of the roller 49,the carton blank 5 is almost fully expanded. At this time the carrier 2ceases its forward movement and starts to return to its initial positionunder the influence of cam 29.

The resultant relative movement between the carrier 3 and the wheel 33causes the plate 15 to push the package 5 into and beyond the fullyexpanded condition. As only a small part of the package 5 is locatedwithin the aperture 14, little rearward movement of the sidewalls 8beyond the fully expanded condition is required before the package 5springs clear and is released from the aperture 14.

Continued rotation of wheel 33 in the forward direction causes theroller 49 to engage and move up the secondary lobe 54, thereby forcingthe package 5 into engagement with a guide plate or bars 63 attached toand travelling with the carrier 3, The package 5 is thereby retained inthe overexpanded condition until movement of the carrier 2 and wheel 33progress to a stage such that the package 5 is cleared of the influenceof the guide bars 63. At that time, the natural resilience of thepackage 5 causes it to return substantially to the position held whenthe roller 49 first arrived at the bottom of the cam face 61. It hasbeen found that packages 5 as described tend to return to the flattenedcondition if not broken open beyond the fully expanded condition, andthe foregoing arrangement satisfies that requirement.

After the package has been freed from the influence of guide 63, it maybe engaged by a striker ram 64 of a pistoncylinder assembly 65 (FIG. 3)so as to knock the .package down to a desired state of partial expansionas shown in FIG. 10. In that state, the package 5 is ideally arrangedfor subsequent location in a tray 56, and the assembly 65 may beoperated in timed sequence with the wheel 33 in any known manner. Atabout this time, a succeeding sucker assembly 34 may be engaged with thenow lowermost blank 5 in the carrier 2 for subsequent withdrawal of thatblank from the carrier.

The first removed carton 5 is carried beyond the striker ram 64 towardsthe conveyor 57. An air nozzle (not shown) may be arranged intermediatethe striker ram 64 and the conveyor 57 to direct a jet of air againstthe package 5 to ensure that it remains in the desired partiallycollapsed state before engaging within a tray 56.

It is advantageous thatthe package 5 is only partially expanded whenarriving at the tray 56, because in that condition a leading edge 66(see FIG. 11) is formed by the junction of a sidewall 8 and the panel 6of the package 5. As the package 5 arrives at the tray 56, the panel 6is lowermost, and the leading edge 66 of the package 5 is located insideone of the trays 56 and against the lower edge portion of a sidewall 67thereof. The lobe 55 of cam surface 51 facilitates correct location ofthe package 5 within the tray 56 so that it is finally positioned asshown in FIG. 12, and subsequently causes withdrawal of the suckerassembly 34 away from the conveyor 57 to minimize the possibility offouling.

Since the wheel 33 is travelling at a speed faster than that of theconveyor tray 56, the package 5 is progressively expanded after itengages the tray sidewall 67. The valve assembly 42 may be arranged todisconnect the vacuum pump from the sucker assembly 34 so as to releasethe package 5 after it is fully expanded and properly located within thetray 56. Preferably, that full expansion and proper location occursubstantially simultaneously.

In an alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings, each packageblank is initially located within a respective tray 56 as that tray isarriving at the upper level of the conveyor 57. That is, the trailingside of the tray 56 is lower than the leading sidewall 67 when firstarriving at the deposition zone, thereby facilitating initial insertionof the package 5. As the package 5 is expanded as described above, thetrailing side of the tray 56 is progressively lifted to be substantiallylevel with the leading side thereof. With this embodiment the lobe 55may not be required on cam surface 51.

lt will be understood that operation of the apparatus described may becontinuous so that a plurality of package blanks are at various stagesof transfer at any one time. lt will be further understood that thepresent invention provides an extremely simple and effective apparatusof the kind indicated in which package blanks are capable of beingwithdrawn from a supply source simultaneously with being moved towards adeposition zone.

' Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. Package feeder apparatus including; a carrier for releasablyretaining a plurality of package blanks in stacked relationship andbeing movable between a pickup position and a discharge position; pickupmeans operable to engage a blank held by the carrier when the carrier isin said pickup position and to withdraw said engaged blank from thecarrier; drive means operable to move the pickup means towards a blankreceiving station during said withdrawal, in a direction transverse tothe direction of said withdrawal; and control means operable to move thecarrier toward its discharge position when said pickup means iscorrectly positioned relative to the carrier for engagement with saidblank, in the same general direction as said pickup means is moved bythe drive means.

2. Package feeder apparatus including; a carrier for releasablyretaining a plurality of package blanks in stacked relationship andbeing movably mounted on a support; pickup means for removing blankssingly from said carrier and being movable to carry each blank to areceiving station spaced from the carrier for discharge at that station;drive means operable to move the pickup means to the receiving station;actuating mechanism operable to cause the pickup means to engage a blankheld by the carrier when the carrier and the pickup means are in blankengaging relationship. and to withdraw said engaged blank from thecarrier during movement of the pickup means towards the receivingstation, said withdrawal being in a direction transverse to that of saidmovement of the pickup means; and control means operable to move thecarrier with said pickup means to maintain said blank engagingrelationship for part of said movement of the pickup means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said carrier includes a framehaving an apertured base member through which a blank may be engaged bythe pickup means and withdrawn from the carrier frame, each said blankbeing an open ended tubular package of substantially rectangularcross-sectional shape, the carrier frame being arranged to locate eachsaid blank therein in flattened form with its longitudinal axisextending transverse to both the direction of movement of the carrierand the direction of said withdrawal, and the aperture of said basemember is dimensioned to cause some expansion of a said blank as it iswithdrawn therethrough.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means isarranged so that movement of the carrier with the pickup means isterminated whilst a blank engaged by the pickup means remains partiallylocated within the carrier, whereby the said blank is caused to expandduring the last part of the withdrawal operation because of engagementof a sidewall thereof with the carrier base member and the movement ofthe pickup means relative to the carrier.

5. Package feeder apparatus including; a carrier for releasablyretaining a plurality of package blanks in stacked relationship andbeing secured to one end portion of a support post having its oppositeend portion mounted for oscillatory movement, whereby said carrier ismovable between a pickup position and a discharge position; pickup meansoperable to engage a blank held by the carrier when the carrier is insaid pickup position and to withdraw said engaged blank from thecarrier; drive means operable to move the pickup means towards a blankreceiving station during said withdrawal, in a direction transverse tothe direction of said withdrawal; and control means operable to move thecarrier toward its discharge position when said pickup means iscorrectly positioned relative to the carrier for engagement with saidblank, in the same general direction as said pickup means is moved bythe drive means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the axis of said oscillationextends transverse to the direction of said withdrawal.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said oscillatory movement ofthe supporting post and carrier is effected through an arm extendinglaterally from the supporting post and having one end secured thereto,and the opposite end portion of the arm coacts with a rotatable cammember shaped to cause the desired oscillatory movement of the carrier.

8. Apparatus according to claim wherein said pickup means includes awheel member and a plurality of sucker assemblies secured to the wheelmember so as to be substantially equally spaced about the peripherythereof, said wheel members being secured to a shaft for rotationtherewith, which shaft is operatively connected to said drive means, andeach said sucker assembly being operative to engage a respective blankand remove it from the carrier during rotation of said wheel member.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said shaft is substantiallycoaxial with the axis of oscillation of said carrier.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each said sucker assemblyincludes a head piece carrying at least one resilient pad which isengageable with and releasably attachable to a said blank, and amounting stem projecting laterally from said head piece and slidablymounted on said wheel for radial movement relative thereto.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein pressure reducing means isoperatively connected to each said sucker assembly so as to causeattachment of an engaged blank to the respective assembly; saidoperative connection including a plurality of suction lines each ofwhich is connected to said shaft and a respective said sucker assembly,and a valve assembly associated with said shaft and held againstrotation therewith; said valve assembly having a plurality of ports eachof which is adapted to form a communication between a respective saidsuction line and said pressure reducing means for a predetermined periodof time during rotation of said shaft; whereby each said sucker isconnected in turn with the pressure reducing means during rotation ofsaid shaft.

12. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a stationary cam plate ismounted adjacent the wheel member and has a peripheral cam surfaceengageable by a respective cam follower secured to each sucker assembly,said cam surface being arranged to move each sucker assemblysequentially in one direction into engagement with a said blank held bythe carrier and to subsequently allow movement of the respective suckerassembly in the opposite direction to withdraw the engaged blank fromsaid carrier.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein biasing means is connectedto each sucker assembly to urge it in said opposite direction.

' 14. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said cam surface isshaped to cause substantially complete withdrawal of a said blank fromthe carrier while the carrier and pickup means are moving together, andto urge that package into engagement with guide means so as to retainthe package in is beyond fully expanded condition for a period of timeafter the carrier ceases to move in the same direction as the pickupmeans.

15. Package feeder apparatus including; a carrier for releasablyretaining a plurality of package blanks in stacked relationship andbeing movable between a pickup position and a discharge position; pickupmeans movable between a blank engaging position at which it is operableto engage a blank held by the carrier when the carrier is in its pickupposition, and a release position at which it deposits said blank at areceiving station, said pickup means being operable to withdraw saidengaged blank from the carrier during movement towards said releaseposition; and means operable to simultaneously move said carrier andpickup means from their pickup and blank engaging positionsrespectively, in a direction toward said receiving station; whereby saidpickup means and a blank engaged thereby travel with the carrier for atleast part of the carrier's movement toward the discharge position.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said receiving stationincludes a continuously movable conveyor having open-topped elongatedtrays secured along the length thereof, each said tray having itslongitudinal axis extending transverse to the direction of movement ofthe pickup means and being adapted to receive a respective blank fromsaid pickup means.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said pickup means includesa wheel member and a plurality of sucker assemblies secured to the wheelmember so as to be substantially equally spaced about the peripherythereof, said wheel members being secured to a shaft for rotationtherewith, which shaft is operatively connected to said drive means, andeach said sucker assembly being operative to engage a respective blankand remove it from the carrier during rotation of said wheel member.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a stationary cam plate ismounted adjacent the wheel member and has a peripheral cam surfaceengageable by a respective cam follower secured to each sucker assembly,said cam surface being arranged to move each sucker assemblysequentially in one direction into engagement with a said blank held bythe carrier and to subsequently allow movement of the respective suckerassembly in the opposite direction to withdraw the engaged blank fromsaid carrier.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said cam surface is shapedto cause each said sucker assembly to move a said blank held therebyinto a respective said tray of the conveyor as the pickup means movesthereby, and to subsequently cause withdrawal of the respective suckerassembly away from that tray and the blank deposited therein.

20. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said pickup means movesgenerally in the direction of said conveyor in the region at whichdeposit of blanks into respective conveyor trays is effected, and thespeed of said pickup means through said region is greater than that ofthe conveyor through that region so that deposition of a blank is atleast assisted by engagement of that blank with the leading sidewall ofa said tray located in said region.

21. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a device is locatedadjacent the carrier and is operative to engage an expanded blankremoved from the carrier and being transported away therefrom by thepickup means, whereby said blank is urged into a predetermined conditionof partial expansion to facilitate subsequent deposition thereof by thepickup means.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said device is apiston-cylinder assembly arranged to operate in timed sequence with thepickup means.

1. Package feeder apparatus including; a carrier for releasablyretaining a plurality of package blanks in stacked relationship andbeing movable between a pickup position and a discharge position; pickupmeans operable to engage a blank held by the carrier when the carrier isin said pickup position and to withdraw said engaged blank from thecarrier; drive means operable to move the pickup means towards a blankreceiving station during said withdrawal, in a direction transverse tothe direction of said withdrawal; and control means operable to move thecarrier toward its discharge position when said pickup means iscorrectly positioned relative to the carrier for engagement with saidblank, in the same geNeral direction as said pickup means is moved bythe drive means.
 2. Package feeder apparatus including; a carrier forreleasably retaining a plurality of package blanks in stackedrelationship and being movably mounted on a support; pickup means forremoving blanks singly from said carrier and being movable to carry eachblank to a receiving station spaced from the carrier for discharge atthat station; drive means operable to move the pickup means to thereceiving station; actuating mechanism operable to cause the pickupmeans to engage a blank held by the carrier when the carrier and thepickup means are in blank engaging relationship, and to withdraw saidengaged blank from the carrier during movement of the pickup meanstowards the receiving station, said withdrawal being in a directiontransverse to that of said movement of the pickup means; and controlmeans operable to move the carrier with said pickup means to maintainsaid blank engaging relationship for part of said movement of the pickupmeans.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said carrier includesa frame having an apertured base member through which a blank may beengaged by the pickup means and withdrawn from the carrier frame, eachsaid blank being an open ended tubular package of substantiallyrectangular cross-sectional shape, the carrier frame being arranged tolocate each said blank therein in flattened form with its longitudinalaxis extending transverse to both the direction of movement of thecarrier and the direction of said withdrawal, and the aperture of saidbase member is dimensioned to cause some expansion of a said blank as itis withdrawn therethrough.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, whereinsaid control means is arranged so that movement of the carrier with thepickup means is terminated whilst a blank engaged by the pickup meansremains partially located within the carrier, whereby the said blank iscaused to expand during the last part of the withdrawal operationbecause of engagement of a sidewall thereof with the carrier base memberand the movement of the pickup means relative to the carrier.
 5. Packagefeeder apparatus including; a carrier for releasably retaining aplurality of package blanks in stacked relationship and being secured toone end portion of a support post having its opposite end portionmounted for oscillatory movement, whereby said carrier is movablebetween a pickup position and a discharge position; pickup meansoperable to engage a blank held by the carrier when the carrier is insaid pickup position and to withdraw said engaged blank from thecarrier; drive means operable to move the pickup means towards a blankreceiving station during said withdrawal, in a direction transverse tothe direction of said withdrawal; and control means operable to move thecarrier toward its discharge position when said pickup means iscorrectly positioned relative to the carrier for engagement with saidblank, in the same general direction as said pickup means is moved bythe drive means.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the axis ofsaid oscillation extends transverse to the direction of said withdrawal.7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said oscillatory movement ofthe supporting post and carrier is effected through an arm extendinglaterally from the supporting post and having one end secured thereto,and the opposite end portion of the arm coacts with a rotatable cammember shaped to cause the desired oscillatory movement of the carrier.8. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said pickup means includes awheel member and a plurality of sucker assemblies secured to the wheelmember so as to be substantially equally spaced about the peripherythereof, said wheel members being secured to a shaft for rotationtherewith, which shaft is operatively connected to said drive means, andeach said sucker assembly being operative to engage a respective blankand remove it from the carrier during rotation of said wheel member. 9.ApparatUs according to claim 8, wherein said shaft is substantiallycoaxial with the axis of oscillation of said carrier.
 10. Apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein each said sucker assembly includes a headpiece carrying at least one resilient pad which is engageable with andreleasably attachable to a said blank, and a mounting stem projectinglaterally from said head piece and slidably mounted on said wheel forradial movement relative thereto.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 8,wherein pressure reducing means is operatively connected to each saidsucker assembly so as to cause attachment of an engaged blank to therespective assembly; said operative connection including a plurality ofsuction lines each of which is connected to said shaft and a respectivesaid sucker assembly, and a valve assembly associated with said shaftand held against rotation therewith; said valve assembly having aplurality of ports each of which is adapted to form a communicationbetween a respective said suction line and said pressure reducing meansfor a predetermined period of time during rotation of said shaft;whereby each said sucker is connected in turn with the pressure reducingmeans during rotation of said shaft.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 8,wherein a stationary cam plate is mounted adjacent the wheel member andhas a peripheral cam surface engageable by a respective cam followersecured to each sucker assembly, said cam surface being arranged to moveeach sucker assembly sequentially in one direction into engagement witha said blank held by the carrier and to subsequently allow movement ofthe respective sucker assembly in the opposite direction to withdraw theengaged blank from said carrier.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12,wherein biasing means is connected to each sucker assembly to urge it insaid opposite direction.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 12, whereinsaid cam surface is shaped to cause substantially complete withdrawal ofa said blank from the carrier while the carrier and pickup means aremoving together, and to urge that package into engagement with guidemeans so as to retain the package in a beyond fully expanded conditionfor a period of time after the carrier ceases to move in the samedirection as the pickup means.
 15. Package feeder apparatus including; acarrier for releasably retaining a plurality of package blanks instacked relationship and being movable between a pickup position and adischarge position; pickup means movable between a blank engagingposition at which it is operable to engage a blank held by the carrierwhen the carrier is in its pickup position, and a release position atwhich it deposits said blank at a receiving station, said pickup meansbeing operable to withdraw said engaged blank from the carrier duringmovement towards said release position; and means operable tosimultaneously move said carrier and pickup means from their pickup andblank engaging positions respectively, in a direction toward saidreceiving station; whereby said pickup means and a blank engaged therebytravel with the carrier for at least part of the carrier''s movementtoward the discharge position.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15,wherein said receiving station includes a continuously movable conveyorhaving open-topped elongated trays secured along the length thereof,each said tray having its longitudinal axis extending transverse to thedirection of movement of the pickup means and being adapted to receive arespective blank from said pickup means.
 17. Apparatus according toclaim 16, wherein said pickup means includes a wheel member and aplurality of sucker assemblies secured to the wheel member so as to besubstantially equally spaced about the periphery thereof, said wheelmembers being secured to a shaft for rotation therewith, which shaft isoperatively connected to said drive means, and each said sucker assemblybeing operative to engage a respective blank and remove it from thecarrier during rotation of said wheel member.
 18. Apparatus according toclaim 17, wherein a stationary cam plate is mounted adjacent the wheelmember and has a peripheral cam surface engageable by a respective camfollower secured to each sucker assembly, said cam surface beingarranged to move each sucker assembly sequentially in one direction intoengagement with a said blank held by the carrier and to subsequentlyallow movement of the respective sucker assembly in the oppositedirection to withdraw the engaged blank from said carrier.
 19. Apparatusaccording to claim 18, wherein said cam surface is shaped to cause eachsaid sucker assembly to move a said blank held thereby into a respectivesaid tray of the conveyor as the pickup means moves thereby, and tosubsequently cause withdrawal of the respective sucker assembly awayfrom that tray and the blank deposited therein.
 20. Apparatus accordingto claim 16, wherein said pickup means moves generally in the directionof said conveyor in the region at which deposit of blanks intorespective conveyor trays is effected, and the speed of said pickupmeans through said region is greater than that of the conveyor throughthat region so that deposition of a blank is at least assisted byengagement of that blank with the leading sidewall of a said traylocated in said region.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein adevice is located adjacent the carrier and is operative to engage anexpanded blank removed from the carrier and being transported awaytherefrom by the pickup means, whereby said blank is urged into apredetermined condition of partial expansion to facilitate subsequentdeposition thereof by the pickup means.
 22. Apparatus according to claim21, wherein said device is a piston-cylinder assembly arranged tooperate in timed sequence with the pickup means.